Would-be Role Model Sentenced As Dealer

August 17, 2005|By LYNNE TUOHY; Courant Staff Writer

Jason ``Bebe'' Spencer is a study in contrasts.

The 23-year-old Hartford man is a high school graduate described by relatives and friends alike as a caring, respectful and responsible young man who took a parenting class even though he has no children of his own, so he could be a better role model for the children of his siblings and fiancee.

But the Jason Spencer sentenced to nine years in prison Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Alvin W. Thompson was buying and selling large quantities of crack cocaine on the city streets last year, dealing a quarter-kilogram of crack in one 48-hour period alone and about 500 grams over the course of two weeks.

Spencer had no criminal history before he was taken into custody late last year. He pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to sell in excess of 50 grams of the potent and highly addictive drug.

Spencer's arrest was part of a 10-month investigation by federal, state and local police dubbed ``Operation Big Boy,'' which included extensive wiretaps and surveillance and led to 21 arrests.

Spencer's attorney, Bethany L. Phillips, argued unsuccessfully for a sentence of five years, citing Spencer's many accomplishments and the letters loved ones and colleagues wrote on his behalf.

In her sentencing brief, Phillips argued that although the crime to which Spencer pleaded guilty is one the court sees routinely, ``the offender in this case is not typical.'' She touted him as a stand-out athlete in basketball and track while at Weaver High School, and a surrogate father to his niece and nephew and the son of his fiancee.

Since his arrest, Spencer has been talking to groups of kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford, telling them to stay away from drugs and citing his own predicament -- facing certain imprisonment.

Although the federal sentencing guidelines are no longer binding on judges, they are still cited as a benchmark in sentencing calculations. Under those guidelines, Spencer faced a sentence in the range of 108-135 months. Thompson opted for the lower end of that range, sentencing Spencer to 108 months, or nine years.